KREATOR To Perform Special 'Old-School' Set For 25th Anniversary

Guitarist/vocalist Mille Petrozza of German thrash metal veterans KREATOR has issued the following update:

"Happy new year to all the freaks, fans, friends and supporters! It's time for a general update so you all know what we're up to.

"First off: Thanks to all of you for making 2009 one of the wildest and most successful years for KREATOR! The 'Hordes of Chaos' tour has taken us to many places we have never played at before and we were always surprised by the great response in cities like Beijing, Krasnodar, San Salvador or Guatemala City. Metal rules the planet EVERYWHERE!

"What's next for us? We're really looking forward to returning to North America in March, and yes, even though I am the kind of guy that doesn't even celebrate his own birthday, KREATOR turns 25 in 2010! We want to make this year a little special by playing a classic old-school set in 2010 with a couple of songs we haven't performed live in a while. For this we need your help! Check the forum for the vote of which songs we should put into the setlist. The ones that you pick will make it into the setlist. The vote only lasts to February 1st! So be quick!

"Yes — the rumors are true! The 'ultra edition' of 'Hordes Of Chaos' is coming! Check [the band's official web site] for more details very soon!

"Essen is the European capitol of culture in 2010! This means, that some major media is getting interested in KREATOR now. We'll appear at 'Ard Morgenmagazin' on January 8th between 6 and 9 a.m. In case, you have nothing to do and you're awake, check it out; we'll be performing two songs live from Zeche Zollverein on national television!

"2009 is history! Let's make 2010 even more killer!!!!!"

KREATOR filmed a video for the song "Destroy What Destroys You" during the band's October 17, 2009 show with EXODUS at Espacio Broadway in Santiago, Chile. The clip was directed by Chilean video artist Carlos Toro, who has previously worked with VADER, MERCENARY and LACRIMOSA.

Lyrically, the track is a homage to German protest singer Rio Reiser.

KREATOR drummer Ventor (real name: Jürgen Reil) sat out the band's recent tour dates due to "some personal issues." Filling in for him between September 11 in Moscow, Russia and October 31 in Sao Paulo, Brazil was Marco Minnemann, who is best known for his stints in NECROPHAGIST, ILLOGICIST and EPHEL DUATH.

Jürgen "Ventor" Reil recently opened a tattoo shop in Essen, Germany called Carnap Ink Corporation.

Some samples of Ventor's work can be found at this location.

For more information, visit www.cinkc.de.

KREATOR's new album, "Hordes Of Chaos", sold around 2,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 165 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at No. 7 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

The CD was released in three different versions. The jewel case edition includes the ten regular album songs, and the deluxe version features an additional bonus DVD with an atmospheric making-of in super-8 quality courtesy of a Berlin filmmaker. As a third option, the ultra-deluxe version comes with a t-shirt, a worthwhile photo book and an extended version of the bonus DVD, as well as the CD.

The "Hordes Of Chaos" artwork was created once again by Joachim Luetke. Luetke designed the artwork for KREATOR's last album, "Enemy Of God", as well as past releases from bands like DIMMU BORGIR, ARCH ENEMY and RAGE.

(Thanks: NJthrasher)